THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Ministry of Foreign Affairs Monrovia, Liberia. NEWS SUMMARY FOR TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 2015 Today’s summary of the local dailies highlights the signing of a framework agreement between the Governments of Liberia and South Africa for Bilateral Cooperation in several areas, the resumption of full operation of Japanese funded projects in Liberia for post Ebola recovery by the Japan International Corporation Agency, President Johnson Sirleaf’s turning over of the Chairmanship of the African Peer Review Mechanism Forum to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and the dedication of a modern health facility and a power-house by the management of the National Port Authority at the Port of Buchannan in Grand Bassa County. DOMINANT STORIES Liberia, S/Africa Sign Framework For Bilateral Cooperation The New Dawn newspaper reads: The Governments of Liberia and South Africa have signed a Framework Agreement for Bilateral Cooperation in several areas. The Framework Agreement was signed on Sunday, June 14, 2015 on the margins of the ongoing 25th Ordinary Summit of the African Union in South Africa. Foreign Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, signed on behalf of Liberia, while the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, signed for his government. According to a Foreign Ministry’s dispatch from Johannesburg, both countries agreed to strengthen their relationship in all areas of common interest, including political, social, cultural, scientific and technical sectors within the spirit of African solidarity. The dispatch named critical areas of cooperation as international relations, trade and investment, mining and geology, agriculture, animal husbandry, health, tourism, energy as well as water affairs and forestry. Other areas of cooperation include transport, public works, communication, justice, defense, education, youth and sports, environment, economy and finance, internal security, and war veterans’ affairs, among others. The dispatch further disclosed that the parties also agreed to establish a Joint Consultation Forum, consisting of officials from both parties to monitor the implementation of the framework agreement and identify areas for further cooperation. The two countries agreed to meet annually on an alternating basis in the Republic of South Africa and the Republic of Liberia. Meanwhile, the two countries have also agreed to encourage partnership between public and private institutions respectively at home that are involved in the sectors and areas of cooperation agreed. They also agreed to promote partnerships between their private sectors in accordance with the domestic laws in their respective countries and in consideration of their commitments to sub-regional, regional and international organizations, which they are members. Foreign Minister Ngafuan speaking after the signing ceremony described the agreement as a boost in bilateral relationship as they will now have to work through their respective diplomatic missions and concerned sector ministries to ensure implementation. He then on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Government and People of Liberia assured President Jacob Zuma and the People of South Africa that all would be done on the side of Liberia to follow the agreement to the letter. In a separate development, Minister Ngafuan has held talks with his Swedish counterpart Madam Margot Wallstrom on the margins of the African Union Summit. According to a Foreign Ministry dispatch, during their discussions, Minister Ngafuan expressed appreciation to the Swedish Government and People, on behalf of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and the Government and People of Liberia for Sweden's support to Liberia's successful fight against the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). He informed his Swedish counterpart that, as Ebola was over in Liberia, the Government of Liberia was now focused on its Economic Stabilization and Improvement Plan of which a sub component is the 7-year Health Improvement Plan and requested Swedish Government’s support. For her part, Sweden’s Foreign Minister Margot Wallstrom commended Liberia for the efforts in the fight against Ebola and commended the personal leadership role played by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in the fight. Madam Wallstrom assured that Sweden will remain a strong partner to Liberia as the country’s embarks on its post-Ebola recovery. Related Captions: Liberia, South Africa Sign Bilateral Cooperation Pact (FOCUS), Liberia, South Africa Sig Pact (New Democrat), Liberia, South Africa Sign Framework For Bilateral Cooperation (Heritage), Liberia, S/Africa Sign Framework For Bilateral Cooperation (Daily Observer) Japanese Funded Projects To Resume Here Soon-JICA Discloses The FOCUS newspaper reports that: The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has announced the resumption of full operation of Japanese funded projects in Liberia for post Ebola recovery. According to a Foreign Ministry release, JICA will resume its operation of projects beginning with the reconstruction of the Somalia Drive in Monrovia, and the project for rehabilitation of the Monrovia power system which were suspended since August 2014, due to the spread of Ebola in Liberia. The release further disclosed that JICA will dispatch a mission team comprising nine Japanese consultants and JICA members from Tokyo and Ghana to Liberia to assess the post Ebola situation in the country aimed at resuming Japanese funded projects after the outbreak. JICA is also expected to hold a briefing section on the 17th of June 2015 at the JICA -Liberia field office in Mamba Point beginning 9:00 AM. The release also indicated that Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Public Works and the Land, Mines and Energy are expected to participate in the briefing section. Related Caption: JICA To resume Operation In Liberia Soon (Heritage), Japan To Resume Somalia Drive Construction (INSIGHT) Pres. Sirleaf Turns Over To Kenyan President President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as Chairperson of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Forum, has turned over to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta after two years at the helm. On Saturday, June 13, the Liberian leader presided over her final meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa as Chairperson of the APRM. The APRM is composed of the forum that brings together Heads of States from various countries and a Panel of Eminent Persons that conducts the peer review, while the Secretariat runs the day to day affairs of the African Peer Review Mechanism. President Sirleaf was elected two years ago by Heads of States and Governments of the African Union that have acceded to the APRM Process. According to a dispatch from Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday’s meeting witnessed statements from President Sirleaf, who chaired the APRM Forum, President Uhuru Kenyatta, who served as Vice Chairperson of the APRM Forum, President Jacob Zuma of South Africa as well as the leaders or their proxies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Lesotho, and Mozambique, reports the New Dawn newspaper. Related Captions: Pres. Sirleaf Chairs AU Post-2015 SDGS Agenda (West Africa INFO POST), Ellen Chairs Final APRM Forum (The News), Passing On Torch: EJS Chairs Final APRM Forum Meeting (FrontPage Africa) Buchannan Port Gets Modern Facilities The Daily Observer reports that the management of the National Port Authority (NPA) has dedicated a modern health facility and a power-house at the Port of Buchannan in Grand Bassa County. The clinic will provide first aid treatment to the workforce and port users and is the first medical facility to be built within the Port of Buchannan since its establishment in 1963. Acting Managing Director David Williams said the clinic and powerhouse are milestones that will go a long way in the operation of the port. He said the management is convinced that the completion of the clinic, backed by the quantity of medical supplies and available equipment, will enable the facility to provide a sense of relief to anyone who might sustain injury or fall ill while on the job. “We are highly impressed with the construction of the new powerhouse within the Port of Buchanan the constant supply of electricity to this and the rest of the seaports in Liberia is vital to maintaining the security and movement of vessels in the port,” Williams asserted. Related Captions: Buchanan Port Gets Clinic, Power-House (West Africa INFO POST), Buchanan Port Gets Clinic, Power-House (Heritage), Buchanan Port Gets Clinic, Power-House (In Profile Daily) OTHER STORIES US Envoy Lauded For Return Of Peace Corps Volunteers To Liberia The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. B. Elias Shoniyin has applauded the United States Government and its people for the support toward Liberia’s postwar recovery, giving special recognition to United States Ambassador Deborah Malac for her commitment in assisting Liberia in building a vibrant educational system as well as her pivotal role in championing the return of the Peace Corps Volunteers in Liberia. Minister Shoniyin spoke on Friday, June 12, 2015, when he made special remarks at the swearing-in ceremony of U.S Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVS) held at the C. Cecil Dennis, Jr. Auditorium at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Every time we participate in these swearing-in ceremonies of Peace Corps Volunteers, it brings excitements because this concept has become a part of our National character and history; these excitements are triggered by the knowledge of the tremendous contribution this institution has made, and continues to make in improving the quality of education in our country”, the Acting Minister observed. While recounting the historic role the Peace Corps played in Liberia, Minister Shoniyin noted that Peace Corps Volunteers are known in every part of Liberia, especially in places they were happily deployed to provide services. He added that Liberians are always impressed and will remain extremely grateful to young men and women from afar, in the United States, who leave behind the comfort of their great country and supportive families, in the spirit altruism, to avail themselves to the service of humanity in Liberia. He stresses that the Peace Corps volunteers have always dedicated themselves to their mission, sometimes walking long distances, living in local makeshift houses, and even enduring the irritating and life threatening scourge of mosquitoes in the spirit of humanity. “We continue to remain grateful to you all and the United State. This program has ignited the consciousness of our people, giving them one of the most important tools for a successful living, education” the Minister recalled. He noted that due to the friendly tie between Liberia and the United States and the commitment and interest the United States Government has in the development of Liberia, the program was resumed in Liberia in October 2008 up to July 2014, after the spread of Ebola in the country. According to him, the evacuation of the103 Peace Corps serving in the 15 counties of Liberia was indeed a great loss as the Ebola crisis intensified in Liberia adding that the presence of the volunteers in Liberia at this time, demonstrates the strong and enduring partnership of the United State and its commitment to Liberia’s post-Ebola recovery. Minister Shoniyin, on behalf of the Government and People of Liberia, welcomed the return of 5 Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs), who were among 103 Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) evacuated in July, 2014 at the peak of the Ebola outbreak in Liberia. He thanked Director Fleming for his pivotal role in getting the PCV back to Liberia and applauded the PCRVs for their return. He stressing that Liberia looks forward to many swear-in ceremonies on more Peace Corps in Liberia in the next few months. Also speaking at the ceremony, United States Ambassador accredited near Monrovia, Madam Deborah Malac announced that over the next twelve months U.S. Peace corps in Liberia plans to expand the number of volunteers to pre-Ebola level. Ambassador Malac who also performed the swearing ceremony of the five Peace Corps Response volunteers, stated “These five Americans will join the legacy created by more than 4, 300 Volunteers, who came to Liberia before them; Indeed, they underscored a growing people-to-people development partnership between our nations that dates back to 1962”. The U.S. Ambassador assured that the Volunteers will continue to help students and teachers better employ limited resources such as libraries, laboratory materials, and learning aids and they will begin looking at ways to help support public health and literacy initiatives. The U.S. Envoy added that they will continue to build Liberian capacity that spans far beyond the classroom, as they all have shown in their commitment to gender equity, food security, malaria prevention, and many other initiatives in the past, writes the Heritage newspaper. Related Caption: US Envoy Malac Lauded For Return Of Peace Corps Volunteers To Liberia (FOCUS) Liberia Makes Travel Alert Liberia’s Health Ministry authorities are making travel alerts in the wake of sharp rise in Ebola infection in neighboring Sierra Leone and Guinea, warning travelers “to be very much careful” not to come in contact with infected persons. Liberia and its two neighboring countries Sierra Leone and Guinea which are still battling the Ebola outbreak, share scores of porous borders which marketers and inter-marriage families across either side commute almost daily. The Liberian authorities’ warning on Monday, June 15 came amidst scaring update by the French medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), warning that the deadly disease may return with force just a little over a month after the World Health Organization or WHO declared Liberia Ebola-freed. In a phone conversation with the New Dawn newspaper Monday evening, Deputy Health Minister Mr. Tolbert Nyensuah who heads Liberia’s Incidence Management System indicated that Liberia was concerned that cases were incfreasing in Sierra Leone and Guinea, but concrete steps and measures were being taken at the borders. Mr. Nyensuah warned that people travelling from Liberia need to be very careful not to come in contact with infected persons; while also assuring that surveillance was being mounted at Liberia’s borders with its neighbors, writes the New Dawn newspaper. Ellen, Ruth Perry Receive “Women Of Excellence Award” The New Dawn newspaper writes that the African Union Diaspora Forum at an Honoring and Award Banquet in Johannesburg, South Africa has awarded President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and several Prominent African Women the “Women of Excellence Award”. The former chairperson of Liberia’s transitional Council of State (COS) Mrs. Ruth Sando Perry, also received the “Women of Excellence” award. A dispatch from Johannesburg says the recognition was bestowed on the distinguished personalities during a special AU-DAF Women of Excellence Awards Banquet held on Friday, June 12, 2015. The organizers indicated that the event was designed to inspire, recognize and enjoy the achievements of President Sirleaf, former COS Chairperson Sando Perry, and a host of prominent and remarkable African women achievers. They said the theme: “Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa’s Agenda 2063,” reflects overall recognition of the African women’s incredible journey since the historic 4th World Conference of Women in Beijing. “We have witnessed great progress of women’s empowerment and today is another milestone as we celebrate women of courage; women of valor; women of insight, wisdom and power; our mothers, our sisters and friends,” Ambassador Erieka Bennett, head of AU-DAF and Co-chair for the 2015 African Women of Excellence Award (AWEA) said in her welcome remarks. Ministry Of Justice Trains 195 Law Enforcers On ‘Child Protection’ The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) over the week hosted a concentrated four-day ‘child protection’ training for over 195 law enforcement officers from the Liberia National Police to further reinforce their roles and familiarize them with the concept of child protection. The training, which looked at objectives and concepts of child protection, an issue that has been categorized by MOJ as being of “major concern,” brought together police officers from the 15 counties to three centralized locations (Montserrado, Bong and Maryland) for the exercise. “The training is to highlight the role of the police who have the first point of contact with children and juveniles. The training includes the introduction to basic report writing, interviewing techniques and record keeping,” stated Child Justice Coordinator at MOJ, Alben Greaves. According to Mr. Greaves, the LNP is responsible to help protect children from being victimized and to improve the investigation of child abuse cases. “The intent of this training is to strengthen the capacity of LNP to prevent and respond to child protection issues across the country. Child protection in Liberia is a major concern that, if not addressed, will severally affect the ability of the next generation of young people to become productive and useful citizens,” he said, according to the Daily Observer. Ellen Lauds Cuban Doctors For Liberia’s Ebola Fight President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lauded Cuban doctors, who participated in Liberia’s fight against the Ebola outbreak here, FOCUS newspaper has gathered. The Liberian leader made the commendation during a recent meeting with Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes. Meanwhile, Cuban VP Valdes expressed has satisfaction because Ebola was eradicated in Liberia ad said that both sides will continue working for strengthening bilateral ties, especially in cooperation. Missionaries Returning The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that they would once again begin calling missionaries to serve in Liberia, and the move comes after an outbreak of Ebola prompted the LDS Church to remove their missionaries from that area last year. LDS Church Spokesman Eric Hawkins released the following statement Wednesday addressing the issue: “Missionaries are once again being called to serve in the African nation of Liberia. Non-native missionaries (those from outside Liberia) will serve in surrounding areas until it is determined that it is safe for them to enter Liberia”, New Democrat newspaper reports. AIM, LDRI Partner For Media Development In an effort to improve the media landscape in Africa, The African Media Initiative (AIM) has teamed up with the Local Development Research Institute (LDRI) to develop technology and data literacy training programs for media professionals, over the next five Years. The Nairobi, June, 2015 (LDRI) Executive Director Muchiri Nyaggah said “the media is of critical importance to participation due to the role it plays as an informediary in the broader ecosystem, In Profile Daily reports.